Scores of people, including families with young children, were stuck at Malta International Airport when the flight they were supposed to get on was held up for a number of hours as a result.

The Scots were left in the terminal building for over three hours after police with sniffer dogs stormed the plane from Edinburgh as it sat on the tarmac.

The Ryanair crew alerted the authorities to the rowdy behaviour on board and 11 were eventually arrested.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech told the Scots she could not understand how they could undertake such conduct, adding: “It is unbecoming. I hope you will behave yourself until you depart during your stay.”

A Ryanair spokeswoman said the crew requested police assistance upon arrival after a number of passengers became disruptive in-flight.

She added: “The aircraft landed normally and police removed and detained these individuals at Malta Airport. As a result, the return flight departed to Edinburgh with a delay of two hours.

“We sincerely apologise to affected customers, but we will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and the safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority.”